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WORTHINGTON -- Detective Sgt. Kevin Flynn has been appointed interim director of public safety for the Worthington Police Department. The department’s current chief, Mike Cumiskey announced his retirement Monday. On Tuesday, the civil services commission gave the go-ahead for City Administrator Craig Clark to appoint Flynn to the interim position. Flynn, who has been with the Worthington Police Department for 23 years, will begin his new duties at 5:00pm on Friday.

JACKSON -- A fire erupted early Sunday morning at the AGCO manufacturing plant in Jackson, damaging some paint equipment but resulting in no injuries.

Eric Fisher, director of operations at AGCO Jackson, said the plant’s fire suppression systems performed just as designed and contained the damage to the origin of the fire. He also credited AGCO employees and local emergency responders for their swift response.

JACKSON -- After more than a month with no permanent staff, the Jackson County Extension office welcomes three new employees in May.

WORTHINGTON – Worthington Police Chief Mike Cumiskey will retire at the end of May, he officially announced Monday. He began to let staff know Thursday and Friday of last week, and got all paperwork filed by the end of the week.

Cumiskey has been in law enforcement for 28 years, with almost 15 of those years in the city of Worthington.

WORTHINGTON – Worthington Police Chief Mike Cumiskey will retire at the end of May, he officially announced today. He began to let staff know Thursday and Friday of last week, and got all paperwork filed by the end of the week.

“After much soul searching and a lot of talk and prayer, I will retire from law enforcement,” he said this morning. “I’ve spent 28 years in law enforcement.”

On the hutch behind his desk are the hats he has collected for years and he admitted he has no idea what he’ll do with them. Or most of the things in his office, for that matter.

WORTHINGTON – This Thursday, the Center For Active Living will celebrate its first year of existence with an open house and plenty of activities. Located at 211 11th St., a program with comments by Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh will kick off the open house at 1 p.m., followed by recognition of retiring advisory committee members Sharon Johansen, Bobbie Korthals, Chuck Moore, Mike Woll and Bob Petrich.

Amanda Walljasper-Tate, owner of Schafer’s Health, will present a program at 2 p.m. on “Health Naturally” as part of the CAL’s Sanford Wellness Partners program.

WORTHINGTON – When Rep. Rod Hamilton called Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh last week to say he had just been informed the House had pulled the Lewis and Clark funding from their bonding bill, Oberloh was shocked. He had spoken to Rep. Alice Hausman, Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, less than 24 hours beforehand, and had been assured that the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Funding was still in the bill.

“Then Rep. Hamilton called and he’s madder than a hornet,” Oberloh stated. “I think it’s pretty safe to assume there are games being played.”

WORTHINGTON - Large hail and isolated tornadoes were reported throughout the area Thursday, with a confirmed tornado near St. James.

The storms in southwest Minnesota produced hail that ranged in size from that of peas to quarters and in some instances even golf balls. The hail fell in Beaver Creek, Edgerton, Windom and Pipestone and many places in between.

PIPESTONE - Pipestone Area Schools is considering spending an estimated $370,000 on new tennis courts later this year to replace courts north of the middle/high school that are no longer usable.

WORTHINGTON - Jeff Rotert is the new Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation executive director. Currently the chief operating officer at Sanford Worthington Medical Center, he will start in the new position June 2.

Foundation board chair Paula Chapulis said Rotert was chosen from 18 applicants for the executive director spot, and that he has the background, the ability, and the versatility of knowledge required to take the foundation to the next level.

WORTHINGTON — Unionized employees at JBS voted Tuesday to authorize a strike after 10 months of contract negotiations have failed to reach agreement in key areas involving health care and wages for workers at the Worthington plant.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1161 hosted meetings for more than seven hours Tuesday with production and maintenance workers who represent roughly 90 percent of the local pork processing facility’s workforce. The result of those group meetings led to a unanimous vote to strike if necessary.

WORTHINGTON – Work on the lining of the trunk sanitary sewer system on Eighth Avenue and Ninth Street is scheduled to begin today, according to the Worthington Engineering Department. Motorist are asked to proceed with caution and watch for construction workers.

Water main reconstruction work continues on Nobles Street from Highway 60 toward Woodcrest Avenue.

LUVERNE – Two Beaver Creek men have been arrested in connection with a burglary at the Hill’s Bar. Charges have been filed in Rock County District Court against 26-year-old Tony Fluit and 30-year-old Shane Hultgren.